Nashville Predators

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William (Boots) Del Biaggio tried to gain control of this team and move it to Kansas City. BlackBerry billionaire Jim Balsillie tried, and failed, to buy the team and move it to Hamilton for the 2007-'08 season.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman opposed the relocation and the league blocked the sale. Owner Craig Leipold later sold the franchise to a Tennessee group, but doubts remain about long-term viability.

Leipold estimated that he lost $70 million in 10 years at the helm of the former expansion team. A new arena lease improved the Predators’ bottom line, but this franchise still needs to build a more durable fan base. Last season, the Predators ranked 27th among the 30 NHL teams in average attendance.